Recent data indicates a growing concern over cybersecurity incidents, with 54% of organisations reporting such an incident within the past year. Looking to the near future, a significant 73% of businesses anticipate experiencing disruptions due to cybersecurity issues in the next 12 to 24 months, according to a report by TechBullion. This escalation underscores the critical need for enhanced cyber resilience, enabling organisations to prevent, withstand, and recover from network disruptions effectively.
Traditionally, the responsibilities of Information Technology Operations (ITOps) have focused on maintaining and supporting network infrastructure across various scenarios, including both data centres and cloud environments. As businesses increasingly adopt hybrid operational models, ensuring consistent network availability has emerged as a paramount objective. On the other hand, Security Operations (SecOps) has concentrated on detecting and preventing security breaches, often advocating against practices that could widen the organisational attack surface.
These divergent mandates have resulted in a notable disconnect between ITOps and SecOps. As highlighted in the report, ITOps teams are tasked with protecting network availability, while SecOps has primarily focused on threat detection and prevention, often working independently without comprehensive insights into the operational realities of network infrastructure.
The divide is further complicated by the fact that SecOps teams are increasingly aligned with auditing and compliance requirements. Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are now reporting their findings directly to Boards, indicating a shift in the broader organisational responsibility for cyber risk management. As a result, security investments are rising at double-digit rates amid growing concerns over breaches, compliance, and the looming threat of AI-enabled cyber attackers.
Data indicates that organisations are often alerted to security breaches through external sources, with 58% of incidents being reported by benign third parties or the attackers themselves. This reality emphasises the need to foster quicker risk mitigation strategies rather than merely increasing investment in security monitoring. The report stresses that collaboration between ITOps and SecOps is essential for building a more resilient organisational structure.
A collaborative framework is proposed, aiming to bridge the gap between ITOps and SecOps. Key initiatives include establishing shared goals to foster mutual understanding and align the teams on protecting organisational assets, as well as developing a common methodology for assessing and managing risk. It is essential for both teams to understand that their ultimate objective is to ensure the continuity of business operations.
Furthermore, organisations are encouraged to streamline their compliance processes, moving beyond siloed practices during audits. Developing a unified approach to compliance can help streamline efforts toward legal and industry requirements while establishing proactive security measures.
An effective incident response plan is also vital to organisational resilience. Both teams must create a framework for investigating, containing, and remediating disruptions while ensuring the restoration of normal operations. Additionally, budgetary barriers need to be reconsidered, particularly regarding the funding of automation tools that enhance network vulnerability management, which remains a foundational element of cyber resilience.
As the frequency of cyberattacks continues to rise, the development of a coordinated approach between ITOps and SecOps will play a critical role in mitigating operational disruptions. Enhanced collaboration may ultimately lead to a more robust cyber-resilient organisation, securing not only network availability but also fortifying overall business integrity.
Source: Noah Wire Services